Hays, KS – Jana’s Campaign, Inc. in collaboration with the Office of Citizenship and Service-Learning (CASL) at Missouri State University will bring together community leaders and regional experts to open a dialogue regarding the issues of relationship and sexual violence to identify services, struggles, and solution strategies to facilitate community-based problem solving for this prevalent social ill.

On October 28, on the Springfield campus, Fort Hays State University professors and Jana’s Campaign founders Dr. Christie Brungardt and Dr. Curt Brungardt will be sharing the story of their daughter Jana Mackey, whose life was cut short because of relationship violence and how they turned that tragedy into action. They will be introduced by Missouri State University president Clifton Smart.

Featured special topics at the summit will include: abuse in the military, same-sex relationship abuse, abuse against persons with disabilities, and teen dating violence. The dynamics of power and control and gender differences in intimate partner abuse will also be discussed.

A services and struggles panel will include representatives from: Harmony House, The Victim Center, Children’s Division, Hit No More, and a family member of someone affected. A panel of professionals will include representatives from: Sims Law Firm, Springfield Police Department, Brentwood Christian Church, Drury University, Springfield Public Schools, and an abuse survivor.“Already possessing a solid partnership with Fort Hays, the Campaign is excited to extend our outreach to other like-minded institutions enthusiastic about reducing gender violence in their campus communities,” said FHSU instructor of social work and Jana’s Campaign executive director Eric Sader.

There is no cost to attend. Breakfast will be provided. There is also free parking, a networking lunch, and continuing education credit options available.

About the Office of Citizenship and Service-learning at Missouri State University

The Office of Citizenship and Service-learning (CASL) serves both the community and the University as a facilitator of their respective resources for the benefit of both academic endeavors of the University and service goals of the community’s agencies. The CASL office seeks to enhance experiential learning that results in engaged citizenship and improved academic learning that benefits our democracy.

About Jana’s Campaign, Inc.

In honor of the late Jana Mackey and other victims of domestic violence, a committed group of activists created Jana’s Campaign, Inc. with the single mission of reducing gender and relationship violence. “We believe it is our responsibility to use the story of Jana’s life and the story of her death to help reduce violence against women.” Through our program activities, Jana’s Campaign aims to play a significant role in breaking the cycle of domestic and dating violence and be a catalyst for social change. More information can be found at www.janascampaign.org.

Jana’s Campaign believes that colleges and universities should be mobilized to reduce gender violence. This includes encouraging higher education to improve their prevention efforts and response to gender violence on campus and to play a more active role in using their resources to impact the communities in which they reside.